2 ARRESTED IN MITOOMA DISTRICT FOR ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF IVORY, HIPPO TEETH

Kweronda Ambrose

Police in Mitooma District is holding two men found in possession of twelve (12) elephant tusks and twenty-four (24) hippo teeth.

The two were picked from Mitooma Guest house, located in Ward IV , Mitooma Town Council, Ruhinda County during an intelligence-led operation.

The suspects are Marembo Baker a 34-year-old peasant from Kashenyi village in Kashenyi Parish, Ngoma Sub-County in Ntungamo District, Muhwezi Robert a 53-year-old tailor from Kinesa Local Council 1, in Kakyenkye Parish, Nyakashenyi Sub-County in Rukungiri District.

During the Police operation, one of the ring-leaders Gumoshabe Abdu a 43-year-old residing in Rubaare II, located in Kagango Ward of Rubaare Town Council, Rushenyi County in Ntungamo District managed to narrowly escape and is currently on the run.

They are being detained at Mitooma Police Station and charged with being in possession of protected wildlife species under CRB: 200/2022.